Before you play poker, you must know what the winning
hands are! The list below is valid for most forms of poker,
but may be altered in certain circumstances - for example
when wild cards are in play. The list goes from lowest
hand to highest:
Mister
Tips' Guide to Poker Hand Rankings
High
Card - All
your cards are different, the highest card you have defines
your hand.
One
Pair - You have a single
pair in your hand
Two
Pair -
You have two pair in your hand.
Three
of a Kind -
You have three of the same card.
Straight
- You
have five consecutive cards (of different suits).
Flush
-
You have five cards of the same suit (not consecutive).
Full
House -
A pair and three of a kind in the same hand.
Four
of a Kind -
Four of the same card.
Straight
Flush - Five consecutive cards of the same suit. Ace-King-Queen-Jack-Ten
of the same suit are a Royal Flush, the best possible
poker hand. (In several years play, I have never had one
of these - and to date I've only ever had two straight
flushes!)
In
instances where two players have the same hand, such as
both having a pair of 8s, the other cards in the player's
hand count to break the tie. Having a high kicker
in these tiebreak hands is a distinct advantage.
For
a full house, the three of a kind is the highest part of
the hand. Three aces and two kings is called Aces full
of Kings.
I
hope that this brief guide to hand rankings helps your game!
